Kerrotko

Kerrotko is a Finnish language phrase formed from the verb kertoa (to tell) with the question particle -ko. The combination turns a statement into a polite inquiry, equivalent to "could you tell me" or "will you tell me" in English. In standard Finnish, kerrotko is the 2nd person singular present tense form kerrot (you tell) plus the -ko particle, and it is written as a single word: kerrotko.

Usage and meaning: Kerrotko is commonly used to ask for information, clarification, or instructions. It introduces a direct question about something the speaker wants to know. For example: "Kerrotko minulle, mitä tapahtui?" means "Could you tell me what happened?" The phrase is relatively neutral and versatile, suitable for casual conversation as well as semi-formal interaction. More formal or polite requests often employ forms such as "voisitko kertoa" (could you tell) or "voisitko kertoa minulle" depending on context and tone.

Form and variation: Kerrotko is the second-person singular form with the question suffix; when addressing more than one person, the equivalent is kerrotteko? or kerrotteko te? The base verb can appear in different constructions, but kerrotko typically asks for information from a single interlocutor. Alternatives to kerrotko include "kertoisitko" (would you tell), which can convey a slightly more conditional or polite mood.

Examples: Kerrotko minulle, missä ovi on?; Kerrotteko, kuka vastaa tästä?; Kerrotko, mitä tämä tarkoittaa? These uses show how kerrotko functions to prompt the other person to provide information.